Historic Scotch Whisky Distillery Launches Cask Investment Programme

Forbes

4 days ago

Bunnahabhain Distillery, founded in 1881, on the rugged shores of Islay. The distillery has just launched a rare cask ownership programme for whisky fans worldwide. CVH Spirits
For the first time whisky fans can now buy a cask of new make whisky direct from the 144 year old Islay distillery Bunnahabhain. Islay is a hugely popular whisky region with fans of peated single malt and owning a whole cask is the dream of some whisky connoisseurs.
Casks of Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain's peated spirit Staoisha casks have sometimes been available through brokers, but it has been more than a decade since an established Islay distillery offered casks direct to the public. The announcement comes at an interesting time for the whisky industry, and so Bunnahabhain's move might just be the first of many, as more distilleries explore cask investment programmes to generate revenue in an increasingly complex global economy.
The launch of Bunnahabhain's cask programme marks a notable moment in the whisky market. Selling casks direct to the public is a practice that was relatively common in the 1990s and 2000s and has remained common with newer distilleries. But as far as I am aware this is the first time an already established distillery has started offering a cask purchase programme in decades.
Buyers can choose to mature their cask at Bunnahabhain's Islay warehouse or on the mainland, with each location offering distinct influences on the whisky's character. CVH Spirits
In the early to mid-2000s when the Bruichladdich distillery reopened under the ownership of Mark Reynier they sold casks direct to the public. Springbank distillery also offered whole casks of whisky direct to their fans in the 1990s after they reopened. Both programmes provided important cash flow for the distilleries without having to wait the three plus years for their casks to mature and become whisky.
The context therefore makes Bunnahabhain's timing significant. There is a pronounced slowdown in the whisky market—Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and Rémy Cointreau have experienced approximately 45% declines from their 2022 peaks, while Glenfiddich owners Glen Grant & Sons recently reported a 30% drop in profits in 2024.
Against this background, the new offering from Bunnahabhain could be strategic. As the whisky industry navigates market downturns, history suggests that more distilleries may seek direct investment from private individuals as a means to bolster financial stability. The Joys Of Cask Ownership
'A single cask programme has been in our sights for some time, and we wanted to make sure that we had a special offering for whisky lovers worldwide,' explained Master Blender Julieann Fernandez in the official press release. Traditionally, Bunnahabhain is celebrated for its unpeated single malts, so the opportunity to own a cask of Bunnahabhain or Staoisha new-make spirit is really quite rare.'
Staoisha is a secondary name for Bunnahabhain that they use for their peated single malt islay expressions. They are also clear that ownership of casks bought through Bunnahabhain are sold with a delivery order, giving purchasers full ownership and long term security.
Set against dramatic coastal views, Bunnahabhain is one of Islay's most picturesque distilleries, where sea air, solitude, and tradition shape every cask of spirit. CVH Spirits
It is important to mention that it is still possible to buy new make and young casks through other dealers and on the secondary market. But buying direct with a distillery gives a different level of experience that can be ideal for passionate whisky fans. For example, you are unlikely to be able to choose the type of climate where your cask will mature if you buy through anyone else. Bunahabhain however will give you the opportunity to choose between maturing on Islay or the mainland and will also take the time to explain the differences that choice will make to the whisky maturation process.
'By purchasing directly from the distillery, you also have the opportunity to be part of the journey, whether that's through visiting us and spending time in our warehouses or by receiving regular samples and tasting the spirit as it matures. This is a unique chance for whisky lovers to own a piece of Bunnahabhain history – from its very first moment of maturation to the last part of the story when it's bottled into your perfect dram.' A Whisky Cask Investment?
In my experience if you want a scotch whisky cask as an investment and you're buying new make then you need to be aiming for a 15 to 20+ year hold. The information provided by Bunnahabhain states a minimum hold period of five years and no maximum hold period, although storage costs are only included for the first five years—they estimate these at £75 per year after that, although often storage costs are higher for larger cask types.
Bunnahabhain's FAQs make it clear that you are able to bottle or resell this cask to a third party if you wish to. However, if you are looking at this as a potential investment you should contact Bunnahabhain to make sure that your and their expectations align and ensure you check the contract meets your needs and expectations. As per the Scotch Whisky Association guidance, a delivery order, paid invoice and contract of sale are the three key documents you need to ensure you get when buying a cask of scotch.
If you do decide you want to bottle the cask, partially or in full, you should also familiarise yourself with the costs of bottling. As well as the costs of dry goods you also have tax and duty to pay on bottling and it is important to understand these when assessing costs and suitability. What Does A Bunnahabain Cask Cost?
You can buy a 200L first fill ex-bourbon barrel direct from Bunnahabhain for $7,549 (£5,650), a 250L refill hogshead (presumed bourbon) is just over $9,000 (£6,750), or a 500L first fill Oloroso Sherry Butt is $18,500 (£13,850). Note that these prices include five years storage and many additional extras that are exclusive to buying through Bunnahabhain. Ultimately however, whether that is expensive depends on what you want from the experience and ownership.
Can a tradesperson get it cheaper? Yes, of course. That is the case in every industry; I don't walk into the supermarket and baulk that they've marked up the price from wholesale for the convenience and experience of doing all my shopping in one place. Equally, I don't think a tradesperson is approaching Bunnhabhain through its private cask programme channels expecting a 15% discount in the distillery visitor centre. Can you get these casks cheaper by shopping around, potentially, and again, that's the same in every industry.
Whether these casks are right for an individual is down to each person and the experience they want from cask ownership. For me, the most important aspect of any cask offering to the public is whether it offers clear information on the risks and joys of owning a cask alongside transparent ownership and proper documentation. This allows customers to make an informed decision on what they are buying.
From an industry standpoint, it will be interesting to see whether more direct cask offerings will appear. As that could indicate a significant turning point for the market.